HC Deb 13 June 1955 vol 542 cc246-7
5. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of food poisoning occurred in 1953 and 1954, respectively; and what further steps he is taking to reduce the number of cases.

Mr. Iain Macleod

The number of cases notified in England and Wales is as follows: 1953, 10,373 and 1954, 9,001. Information about the cases that actually occurred is not available because not all sufferers would have consulted their doctors. As to the second part of the Question, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and I will continue to encourage local authorities to promote high standards of food hygiene, and we shall jointly make Food Hygiene Regulations under the Food and Drugs Amendment Act, 1954, as soon as it comes into operation, to strengthen their hands in this matter.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that generally speaking, over the past few years there has been a really astonishing if not disgusting increase in the number of cases of food poisoning? Will he take very severe measures to enforce a far higher standard of personal hygiene than seems to be in existence at present?

Mr. Macleod

The need for food hygiene was one of the reasons it fell to this Government to bring forward the Food and Drugs Amendment Act. 1954.

The hon. and gallant Gentleman will see that the figures have gone down, substantially down, in the last year.